HARMONY 2: JAZZ AND POPULAR MUSIC FORMS - 2024/5

Module Overview

This module provides an opportunity for the in depth study of harmony within the context of Anglo-American popular music of the past century from the standard jazz repertoire to progressive pop, rock, fusion and contemporary jazz.

Module provider

Music & Media

Module Leader

MERMIKIDES Milton (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

MUS1028 (Harmony 1) 

Module content

This module covers the main tonal principles of popular music harmony found in styles such as rock, pop, blues and standard jazz, as well as an introduction to more advanced concepts of contemporary jazz, progressive rock, pop and fusion. Indicative content includes:

• Chord construction (Triad, 7th, 9th, 11th and 13th chords)


• Diatonic chords of the major scale and minor scale.


• Borrowing from the parallel minor scale


• The diatonic cycle of 5ths


• The major and minor ii-V


• Secondary dominants (and related IIs)


• Tritone substituted dominants (and related IIs)


• Blues I7 IV7 and blues scales


• ii-Vs in motion


• Motif and melody chord relationship


• Types of Modulations and Bridges


• Contrapuntally Embellished Static Harmony (CESH)


• The minor descending line Cm Cm/Bb Aø


• I – bVI7(bIIIm7)


• Types of Parallelism


• Chromatic and other 2 Chord Vamps


• Slash, upper-structure and poly-chords


• Open, closed, Drop-II and Drop-III voicings


• Non-tertial harmony


• Intervallic structures (e.g. Zappa structures, µ chords etc.)


• Chord sequences and modal ‘islands’

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore and develop new theoretical concepts and practical skills. 

The summative assessment for this module consists of:

Two compositional portfolios and commentaries demonstrating the theoretical and practical understanding of the module concepts in idiomatic creative practice.

1. Portfolio 1: A portfolio focusing on standard jazz styles, including pastiche composition, commentary, lead sheet presentation, analysis and audio realisation. This is assessed on the basis of theoretical understanding and idiomatic application of the relevant module concepts, as well as score presentation. (Learning outcomes 1-5).

2. Portfolio 2: A portfolio focusing on contemporary jazz and popular music styles, including pastiche composition, commentary, lead sheet presentation, analysis and audio realisation. This is assessed on the basis of theoretical understanding and idiomatic application of the relevant module concepts, as well as the idiomatic quality of score presentation. (Learning outcomes 1-5).

Formative assessment and feedback

Students will be given a series of weekly compositional exercises. These are not assessed but will provide students with formative feedback via Surreylearn and in class. These exercises can also be used as foundations for the summative assessments. 

Module aims

• This module aims to provide a solid foundation in the theoretical knowledge and practical deployment of harmonic concepts relevant to jazz and popular music genres.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The module consists of lectures.

The lectures will include theoretical and practical demonstrations of harmonic theory.

Students will be expected to complete weekly tests and exercises.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MUS2058

Other information

The Department of Music and Media is committed to developing graduates with attributes encompassing employability, digital skills, global and culture awareness, sustainability as it relates to music and the wider arts and, finally, resourcefulness and resilience. 

Resourcefulness and Resilience: This module builds a student’s confidence and ability to gain theoretical and practical knowledge in jazz and popular music harmony. It involves dealing with a significant amount of information and exposure to musical styles, which may be familiar or challenging. These demands help to develop both resourcefulness and resilience in students.

Employability: Harmonic knowledge allows a musician to work with efficiency and professionalism as a composer, arranger, performer and collaborator. It is a highly employable skill, broadening opportunities for professional practice and collaboration in a wide range of musical fields. 

Global and cultural capabilities: Students on the module are required to engage with diverse repertoire, musical cultures and practices with a sense of open listening and appreciation.

Digital capabilities: This module requires engagement with digital music notation, sequencing and recording. 

Sustainability: This module allows the production of music with minimal physical and energy resources, travel impact and other consumables. The ability to create, collaborate and publish outputs with such digital approaches has a direct and significant impact on sustainability.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2024/5 academic year.